Veterans Top Tags | June

Memorial Day starts a six week run of important dates that help us remember and appreciate the specialness of being an American. The bookends – Memorial Day and Independence Day – are national holidays.?I like to think that at some point during the picnics and fireworks, everyone takes time to recognize the significance of the freedoms we won and the fact that many of our citizens have given their lives to defend them.? ?

June contains four other memorable dates that remind me of our specialness:

June 6 – Anniversary of D-Day: our role in the largest, successful amphibious landing in history, initiating the final phase of WWII.

June 14th – Flag Day: honors the adoption of our flag by the Second Continental Congress in 1777.? (For Army Veterans, we also celebrate the Army’s birthday on this day.? #GoArmyBeatNavy!)

June 19th – Juneteenth: commemorating the day the last enslaved people in Texas were declared free in 1865.

June 22nd – Anniversary of the GI Bill becoming law: starting the transformation of our economy from one focused on agriculture and manufacturing to our current focus on knowledge-based work, with the widespread availability of a college education.

Many of the special features of being an American are called out in the U.S. Constitution.? This is the document service members swear they will support and defend when they enlist.? Veterans may not remember the exact words, but most will recall hearing “raise your right hand and repeat after me.”

One of the unique features of our citizenship, detailed in the Constitution, is the ability to choose our leaders through elections.? Voting directly on who will govern us is not done everywhere, making our approach to self-governance very special.

This November we will hold elections for our national leaders.? Everyone will get to vote for the President and their Congressman.? Those in selected states will also vote for their U.S. Senator.

As Veterans, it’s important we vote this fall and continue to support the constitution by participating in this important activity.

Voting is a two-part process and its critical to start now.

1st step – Register

Everyone must register to vote in the state or country where you intend to vote.? Deadlines to register can be well-before November, so use your search engine and find out the appropriate dates, locations, and forms.? ?

2nd step - Vote

Once registered, it is important to show up and vote.? You can vote in person on the election day – November 5th.? You can vote early, as many as 45 days before election day.? You can also vote via absentee ballot. ? Some states offer voting by mail.? You can find the relevant options when you register.

As you prepare to register and then vote, considering taking a buddy with you.? Many who have never voted may need to be shown how important this is and how easy it is.

Our challenge as Veterans is to continue to support the constitution and participate in this very special feature of our citizenship.? Our goal should be #EveryVeteranVotes.

To that end, if you are familiar with the voting procedures in your state, please leave information, to include important links, in the comments.

My top posts in June include valuable, veteran-focused content from talented creators.

1. Career Opportunities

Michael Quinn wrote about openings that could lead to salaries of $200k (or more) in several years.? ?

These are technology jobs, requiring clearances.? Posts like Mike’s, listing very attractive salaries, serve as a good reminder of the compensation Veterans can earn.?My sense is Veterans are reluctant to ask for what they are truly worth. I hope others follow Mike in listing salaries in their posts, so Veterans can better understand what they can and should ask for.

Maggie Dillon described jobs available to Veterans in the Cyber space.

The Cyber Bytes Foundation provides Cybersecurity education and training to reduce the growing cybersecurity workforce gap. In short, the demand for cyber trained employees is greater than the number of such employees. This should lead to increasing salaries. And it’s hard to imagine these jobs being outsourced or replaced by AI.

Check out their training courses as well as CrossXRoads, their program to provide end-to-end services for transitioning service members, Veterans, and others.

Tommy Marquez added more information about Cybersecurity in this post.

He pointed out that the average annual salary in that field is $133K.?Tommy expanded the conversation by noting Veterans also have opportunities in skilled labor.?Carpentry and Construction are two fields that have apprenticeships, on-the-job training programs, and other programs covered by the GI Bill.?Whether it's sitting at a computer in an office or outside doing physically demanding tasks, there are many great opportunities for Veterans. Share this with your buddy sitting on the couch and encourage him to pursue one of these possibilities.

James Schenck announced the opening of the next PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur cohort.

The program provides an opportunity for Veteran entrepreneurs to receive mentorship, guidance, and resources to accelerate the growth of their business. The deadline for applications is August 15th and his contains a link to apply.

For those who are unaware, James is an Army Veteran and CEO.?Further, PenFed Credit Union is a miitary and Veteran friendly company that readily supports our community.? This program is just one of the many ways they do this.

2. Preparing to get a Great Job

Kelly Grivner-Kelly, MBA, CPRW provided strategic advice to help Service Members and Military Spouses find a great job.

Most importantly, these recommendations are based on her support, through @Hire Heroes USA helping over 1,500 find meaningful employment.? Her post has eight strong points, with a few thoughts about each. ? If I had one point to highlight, its Self-Reflect, and her advice to “Be kind in all your interactions with organizations.”? What on her list stands out to you?

James Miller emphasized the importance of having a resume that translates military experiences into language non-Veteran civilians can readily understand and crosswalk to job openings.

His post features a link to the article, “Transitioning Your Resume Using the Military to Civilian Thesaurus,” that contains practical advice.?It also has links to even more resources.? I recommend a thorough reading if you are looking for a job. If you’re not in the job market, please share this with a buddy who is. A great resume won’t get you the job, but a resume loaded with military jargon that hiring decision-makers can’t understand is a guaranteed way not be considered for an interview.

Brendan Aronson provided very practical advice to prepare for an interview:

Although they are very much into the weeds of the process, I can’t emphasize their importance enough.?These are great tips and can really make a difference.?One of Brendan’s tips – Sit up straight and smile – brought back memories.?Early in my consulting career we spent days practicing for an important oral presentation.?A very senior leader reviewed our presentation and his only feedback after listening for over an hour was “Stand up straight and smile.” ?All agreed we expected more, but we did follow the advice and the presentation was well-received. Based on my experience, my sense is Brendan’s list is worth reading and doing.

3. Tips and Insights

Daniel Collins, MBA, PMP provided a list of top Military and Veteran connections that he regularly recommends to those just getting started on LinkedIn:

He lists many who generate important Veteran content and this led me to double check that I am connected to each. Humbly, he omits himself, so don’t forget to read his posts about what it takes to successfully transition.

Lawrence Haywood (LJ) provided a series of solid tips about how to ask effective questions.

As he points out, asking “how” questions is so much better than questions that start with “why.”? His post contains an article which goes through the strategy of asking questions with many examples.? If this post inspires you to want to learn more about the use of questions, check out the books by Dorothy Leeds on “Smart Questions.”

Ben M shared the June newsletter from the Special Operations Genesis Foundation :

The newsletter is at the bottom of the post and you can easily page through it. From my perspective, the information about Veteran benefits on Page 7 is invaluable. Safeguarding information about the activities of these service members is critical, but it often causes challenges when applying for benefits. Having access to a Veteran Service Officer who knows and understands these challenges and can help Veterans work through them is a great feature of the newsletter.

Joshua Parish J.D. announced the launch of his new radio show, From Glory Days: Veteran Edition.

His mission is to explore the stories of our nation’s heroes through firsthand accounts of their experiences, triumphs, and profound impact they have on our world. ? One byproduct of Jay’s work will be more evidence that the “broken Veteran” narrative is not representative of the vast majority of Veterans.

You can find past shows at here.

4. Kudos to the Companies Stepping up

Gabe Soltero highlighted the announcement by 家得宝 of it’s foundation investing $9 million to support homeless Veterans.

The money will support construction of 300 new housing units and repairing 200 additional units.? With the recent increase in Veteran Homelessness, their leadership and resources are needed and welcomed.

Mario C. shared an invaluable article which listed the 24 top Military Spouse Employers for 2024.

Great to see Military.Com pull this list together and provide insights such as “The Winning Traits of Top Spouse Employers.”

It’s always disappointing to read about the very high level of military spouse unemployment and the countless lists of studies and proclamations that don’t seem to change anything. This list shows that some companies are acting, not just talking. Hopefully, with more companies joining in, real progress can be made in getting more military spouses suitable careers.

5. Efforts to Better Understand the Contributions of Veterans

VetRec (Veteran Research and Education Curation LLC) announced the launch of the Journal of Veterans Studies

It’s just starting, so results remain to be seen, but I am rooting for them to fulfill their stated mission – contribute to the growing body of research that helps shape our understanding of Veterans needs and experiences.?My suggestion for future research is to develop more insights into why so few men Veterans are participating in the Labor Force.

Eric Horton took the time to explain the value of having Veterans in your state in this post:

He pointed out five ways Veterans make a positive impact on a state’s economy.? Lots of states talk about wanting to be military/Veteran friendly, but then don’t support needed programs because they say they cost too much. If they better understood Eric’s analysis, they would realize the benefits of those programs far exceed the costs. Eric’s post should be read by state leaders considering why they should support military/Veteran programs in their state.

6. Worth Reading More Than Once

Peter Basica reminded us of the importance of honoring all Veterans:

While the interest in June is understandably on those who served during WWII, every generation of Veterans deserves honor and respect.? Kudos to Peter for pointing out that very recent Veterans served us well too and we shouldn’t forget that or them.

JoAnne (Jo) Bass reminded us of a best practice for leaders (and others) to express thanks, in her post about the importance of a personalized note:

Like she mentions, I recalled a note I received from a senior leader for completing an important task. I, too, have that note after all these years. Similarly, that leader’s action inspired me to regularly send handwritten notes for strong performances. I couldn’t help but notice the note posted by JoAnne was typed, not handwritten. As bad as my handwriting is, I always hand wrote these notes. I believe this indicates that if I took the time to write it out, straining to be neat/readable, it better conveyed the seriousness of my thoughts.

Butch Sweedar reposted Armistead Coleman’s thoughts about the importance of supporting your local lemonade stand.

This hit close to home as its something I do every time I see one in my neighborhood.?It doesn’t matter if I am not thirsty or that the lemonade could be better.?To me, it’s important I support a young person learning how business (and capitalism) works.?It always feel good to support a budding entrepreneur.

Quick Takes

How Veteran Friendly is 谷歌 ? Kevin Mulligan and I talked about this in detail.

He went through the interaction he had with Google Veterans during his hiring process and how they worked to make sure he was a good fit for the position. After being hired, he described how they announce a new Veteran, the onboarding activities, and other efforts to establish connectivity to the Google Veteran community. I particularly liked his point about how the network of Google Veterans is always willing to help when a Veteran asks for assistance or information.? (#VHV!). Lots of strong practices are mentioned that others can use to benchmark how their company treats Veterans.

Creating Wealth Before you Become a Veteran

Jerry Quinn described the wealth journey that can be followed while in service.

He called out the importance of using the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with an increased interest rate while deployed. He also mentioned the Blended Retirement System (BRS) which provides a five percent match.?He noted the importance of appreciating and saving Special Earnings, such as per diem funds in the example he cited. Finally, he pointed out free resources to learn more and included a link to DoD’s Office of Financial Readiness. Jerry provided invaluable information and I encourage you to share this with those in your network who struggle managing their money.

Using Lay Evidence to Support Your Disability Compensation Claim.

Cheryl Mason and I talked more about the role of Lay Evidence in obtaining disability compensation.

She described what it is, when to supply it, and possible formats. Importantly, she addressed “Does it Matter?”?Her response is yes, absolutely, and she provides examples of how Lay Evidence supported an ultimately successful appeal.

Challenges of Being a Veteran Entrepreneur

Rob Schroder talked to me about the first five years of his journey as a Veteran business leader.

In addition to challenges faced and overcame, he provided an important insight about growing the business – an activity not relevant to his time on active duty.?He also has thoughtful advice for Veterans just starting their business.

How to Help Veteran Rough Sleepers?

Seth Eisenberg and I talked about the takeaways for helping Homeless Veterans based on experiences described in the book “Rough Sleepers” by Tracy Kidder.

As Seth summarizes, the book tells the story of Dr. Jim O’Connell, addressing homelessness in the Boston area.?Struggles to help those with addiction or mental health problems are clear.?Seth and I talked about helping Homeless Veterans with similar problems. He highlighted the importance of having Case Workers to provide support and connectivity for the Veterans to sustain their housing.?His insights are a good reminder that helping Homeless Veterans is much more than just finding them shelter.

What are the VA benefits for Camp LeJeune Veterans?

Laurine Carson helped cut through all the noise surrounding toxic exposure at Camp LeJeune and clarified the benefits available.

She described who is eligible and the covered dates. ? She also explained the evidence needed for your claim and how to apply.

Helping Michigan Veterans Access their Benefits

Joshua Parish J.D. described how VETLIFE engages Michigan Veterans and their families and provides an opportunity to apply for benefits.

Through their daylong event known as VETFEST, Michigan Veterans can interact with a range of organizations that provide support and assistance. Jay also points out that there is entertainment and activities for families and children.

VETFEST will be held on August 10th. Besides being an enjoyable day, Jay reminds us how getting benefits for Michigan Veterans helps the local economy.

What is a Spiritual Wellness Journey?

Kevin Weaver, PCC helped me better understand a Spiritual Wellness journey and what it means for Veterans.

Kevin described what it is, what expectations should be in terms of timeframe, and the role of community.?Note his closing remarks about their website – TWJ.org.?In addition to tradition print and video resources, it also contains a “Let’s Talk” button, where a one-on-one conversation can be arranged.

What happens in a Substance Abuse Recovery Program?

Dennis Scott Farmer explained the activities that generally happen when a Veteran attends a program to deal with his/her substance abuse problems.

His insights can help us better understand what a battle buddy goes through if they have the courage to admit they need help and then get it.?Dennis described how they seek to reset their life through therapy and education.?While the care can be either in-patient or out-patient, Dennis is clear that family and friend support is invaluable.

What are the Opportunities for Veterans in the Oil and Gas industry?

Chris Hale described the cultural similarities between a job in the energy industry and many jobs in the military.

Chris pointed out that being outdoors, working hard, and facing difficult conditions makes Veterans well-suited for these jobs. ? One big difference is that being on-site for long periods, unlike a deployment, comes with Overtime Pay.? Chris has powerful advice about the path Veterans face when leaving service.? You can either adapt to a civilian job or find something that mirrors your time in the military.? Share this with a buddy who should follow Chris’ second path.

“I wish I Said That”

This quote highlights my frustration with those who always do what’s always been done.

I always thought it resulted from lack of creativity, but Hightower’s quote points out that one reason for this is lack of courage.

? Few are comfortable not “going along,” especially when the formal or informal leaders are so confident. ? His quote also makes me think more about diversity, and the importance of valuing the diversity of thought, especially when it’s a different perspective.

Monthly Management Essay

I remember my best bosses as good teachers and judging from the comments, many others do too.

They were also good listeners.?They practiced this regularly by getting information from customers, employees, and stakeholders.?They fielded hard and unrehearsed questions and dug further to understand the underlying issues.?With more information, they made better decisions, and this helped them be even better bosses.

Glad you Asked – Veteran Home Loan Benefit

Veterans can purchase a home with no money down

One Veteran benefit that can have an immediate and a long-term financial impact is purchasing a home using the Home Loan Guaranty. Immediately, the home provides shelter and security for the Veteran and family.?Long-term, done right, the home will appreciate and provide an increase in wealth.?This benefit has complexities and I explain these in this post

With high interest rates and a shortage of houses available, it’s a difficult time to purchase a home right now.?Don’t be discourage, however, as you will look back and be glad you made this purchase.

Happy Anniversary – GI Bill

June 22nd marked the 80th anniversary of the signing of the law that is now known as the GI Bill. In this post I described context and how the benefits enabled the #AmericanDream.

One point I couldn’t include due to space constraints focuses on the impact of the law.

In July, we will celebrate America landing on the moon.?One popular picture of those events shows the NASA control room with hundreds of technicians sitting in front of computers, managing the flight.

Where did the computer scientists, engineers, and other scientists come from?

No doubt, many learned these skills using their GI Bill benefits.

In 25 years, we went from a country that won WWII with a force of primarily high school graduates to accomplishing a scientific feat our rivals are only now beginning to figure out how to copy.

Hard to imagine a law with a similar impact!

Flag Check

I think Veterans have a deeper appreciation for Flag Day than most. It’s also a good reminder to take a minute and check the condition of your flag and see if it needs to be replaced.?If you do decide you need to purchase a flag, take a few minutes and check out where it’s made. You would be surprised to find that many American Flags are made in countries that are not aligned with our national interests.

My strong recommendation is to buy an American Flag from an American Company that makes them here in America. And if you know a Veteran owned company that does this too, leave their information in the comments.

I continue to believe LinkedIn provides the best platform for Veterans to get information and support to pursue their American Dream. If you don’t already, #FollowTheseVoices.

- Paul Lawrence